Brava participates in #GivingTuesday every year. It is a great time to tell our amazing story of rising from the ashes, connect to our community with a promise for the coming year and provide an opportunity for our supporters to do their part to keep these doors open and to champion the cause of arts for everyone in San Francisco.
The Mathematics of Love photo by Gareth Gooch
Our Story
Brava celebrates 31 years of offering support for local artists and their work. 2017 has been a banner year! In the wake of hurricanes and restricted travel, Brava presented the legendary Cuban artist and Oakland native, Pablo Menéndez and his band Mezcla to a sold-out house! The past year also saw the presentation of three theatrical premieres: Robert O'Hara's Bootycandy, Marisela Treviño Orta’s Ghost Limb, and in August Cherríe Moraga's long awaited new play The Mathematics of Love. Brava was also honored, along with writer and actor Rotimi Agbabiaka, to present the solo show Type/Caste: acting while black (& queer). Brava is home to the annual presentations of the San Francisco Electronic Music Festival, Queer Women of Color Film Festival, Sketchfest Comedy Festival and so many more. Brava's own annual events Baile en la Calle: The Mural Dances and Son Jarocho Festival uniquely reflect the cultural legacy of our community.
Bootycandy photo by Kolmel W Love
In 2017 more than 1,000 local artists passed through our doors appearing in theatrrical productions and staged readings, dance concerts and workshops, solo performances and opera, music performances and festivals, films, circuses alongside national icons like Gloria Steinam and Lila Downs. Brava also enjoys partnerships with over 40 local organizations, offering rental subsidies and co-presentations to become a critical space for the arts in San Francisco.
2017 also saw the opening of our newly renovated storefront with over 4,000 square feet of performance and office space.
Our Future
In the upcoming year, Brava will present many more new projects by local, national and international artists including playwright Lisa Marie Rollins, comedian Marga Gomez, BACCE founder, actor, and director Edris Cooper-Anifowoshe, Idris Ackamoor and Cultural Odyssey. Please support Brava on #GivingTuesday and ensure that the local arts movement is vibrant and alive!